Nogard and Gimlet were well know and respected in the Realms of Gemstone 2. Sadly, their romance had ended by the time Nogard told this tale at the Hanging Inn. Forgive the quotes; this was edited from the live performance, sometime in 1989, and the quotes represent each line Nogard spoke. Also, a crash occurred in the middle; I believe I have the whole tale, but only Nogard or Gimlet, wherever they may now be, would know for sure.
I left a stat at the end showing everyone online at the time; about 1/3 of those online were in the Inn for the performance.
I was going to put this in Elanthian History, but I guess strictly speaking that is for DR's Elanthia, not the dead past of legend. Beside who better than Bards to appreciate one of the greatest performances ever given in the town of Squire Bluff in the first world of Elanthia.
Absent friends....
Glenlivet
"Gimlet and Nogard now walk different paths through Elanthia."
"This poem was a present to Gimlet at the height of our romance."
"I ask each of you to look at the emotions and caring, "
"instead of the poets' skill or the endurance of the romance."
(Nogard clears his throat and looks out at the audience.)
(Nogard looks like he'd rather fight all the C Trolls in Elanthia.)
"THE FALL OF DESPAIR (Nogard's Test Final)"
(Nogard pauses and tries to control his nerves.)
"Dragon Despair, a fearsome, huge red,"
"In glistening caverns shadowed with dread."
"Considers next slaughter, when and if any,"
"Demon, her master, defeated by many."
"Elanthian citizens, now only few."
"She's all alone. Oh, what to do?"
"Psyche so evil, brain now confused"
"Deadlier foe, you cannot choose."
"Sleep the long sleep, of Dragons of old?"
"Find a new master? Strong and cold."
"She knows not which, but rumblings within"
"Soon tell to her, her form is too thin."
"She's not been fed for thirty some suns."
"Her Dragonlet slain by others who come."
"She has been paid, with slaughter, her due."
"Bodies all broken, fields fully strewn."
"Her efforts inadequate, they bored for the kill."
"Her sons' eyes beseeching, to stop the ill."
"She healed her wounds, though minor, tis true"
"And plotted revenge the remaining few."
"Before she decides, oh, what to do,"
"She will again visit the oh so few."
"Maidens and oldens now travel the paths"
"Wouldn't be hard to kill to the last."
"The warriors bold, now long gone cold"
"In truth, the fight need not be bold."
"Away to the sky she lifts in flight"
"To maim and kill, it is her right."
"Her muscles and sinew, they tell her true,"
"She's out of practice, must build anew."
"Round Elanthia's air, taking the sights,"
"Enjoying the panic she flies into view."
"Two soon days hence, she decides to strike."
"Men's hearts she'd crush by bringing her blight."
"Young maids, tender and winsome, the like"
"They would be first to not see the night."
"Many a maid there was for the choosing."
"She'd get a beauty, pondered their loosing."
"Young maiden, Jain, so pretty and warm"
"Soon she'd regret straying the farm."
"Maiden and fighter, just standing round,"
"Now only too clear, the too dreadful sound,"
"Not looking up, did not see the stoop."
"Dragon Despair, completed her loop."
"Fighters so brave, handsome and noble"
"Engage her dread, as much as they're able."
"Resistance is futile; she slaughters them all"
"Except fair maid, Jain, saved for the ball."
"There once was an oath, taken in youth,"
"Tween a fighter named Nogard and maid Jain forsooth."
"Protection and care, so needed right now"
"Aren't to be found, Nogard's not round."
"The love of his life hides in the shadows."
"Maid Gimlet, the elf, courageous and bold."
(crash)
Suddenly Nogard begins laughing!
(Nogard smiles with pride at Gimlets' courage.)
"She knows of the oath, an honorable maid,"
"Leaps to Despair and breaks the dread hold."
'You shall not have her, you hideous beast!'."
"'Return to your cavern, leave us in peace!'."
"Despair is amazed; she knows what to do."
"The elf maid is worth the other times two."
"Looking her strongly in eye so direct,"
"The dragon tells Gimlet, "Come, be my pet.""
"Now, not so certain, the thief looks around."
"Where can she hide? Gimlet's aground."
"Despair picks her up with frightening speed"
"Then drops fair Jain, "I have all I need.""
"The new day was done, her quest a success."
"This elf maid was special, her loss a great test."
"Could the good citizens -- gather again,"
"Ever, oh ever, to threaten her den?"
"Climbing on high the fountain pass by,"
"Laughable characters, can't even fly."
"'Gimlet, my Gimlet, oh no! OH NOOOO!'"
"An anguished cry rises, from far, far below."
"Despair flies easy, not hearing a sound,"
"Far to the north, her captive, her prize."
"Shocked disbelief, a sudden surprise,"
"A Masters' voice tells her, 'PUT DOWN THE ELF.'"
"How can this be? Tis only she left?"
"Twisting and turning, her eyes do delight."
"A beauteous Gold, he's high on her right."
"A male for certain; the breeding tonight."
"'Come with me, Master, we'll play out the night."
"'I've got some tricks, that are maybe just right."
"'Let's eat this maiden to gather our lust."
"'This land we'll rule, till all else is dust."
"'You shall not have her, o wondrous red,"
"'Resolute Dragon has claims on her head."
"'Set her quite free, leave off to your lair."
"'I shall not hurt you if you now repair.'"
"'Humorous, wonderful,' thinks great Despair,"
"'There never was Dragon to my compare."
"'I have been ages without such as you."
"'Come be my love as long as we care.'"
"'Put the elf down, I seek not our death."
"'The maid is to me as important as breath."
"'Her safety and life are beyond your consent."
"'Should you not heed, I shall not relent.'""
"'You cannot prevail, foolish, small gold."
"'I'll easily destroy you; why are you so bold?"
"'Leave her to me and you shall yet live."
"'Father my children, tis my will to give.'"
(Nogard pauses as if he doesn't remember where he is... thinks of Gimlet...)
(Nogard somewhat embarrassed continues. )
"Seeing no choice, gold dragon ascends,"
"Far into the heavens, splitting the winds."
"Plummets he downward a meteor's full speed."
"Fast in his claw gold sword of elf breed."
"Dragon Despair, thinking over and done,"
"Sees not the comet, come from the sun."
"Into the bare spot, made recent by Caver,"
"Gold sword he plunges, with unerring run."
"All of his speed, his mass in his dive,"
"A hideous blow to both dragons alive."
"Near dead on impact, he twists just for certain."
"Death stroke delivered he closes his curtain."
"Nogard, the Dragon, slips from the seeing."
"Resolute's gold body, now lifeless, no being."
"Elf maiden Gimlet, aroused from her slumber,"
"Whispers sweet nothings, he falls away under."
"Impacts the ground with a shattering crash."
"Townsfolk soon gather, from far and from near,"
"To see two such dragons, and shed joyous tear."
"And nearby discover, the poor maiden lost,"
"Hand touching Golds' brow, not caring the cost."
"Tis surely a story, soon oft to be told,"
"The elf maiden Gimlet, her Resolute Gold."
"Too often these tales, small parts are untold,"
"It is with great pleasure, we now can unfold,"
"Their story not over, the fates yet unrun,"
"The ongoing story of elf maid and dragon."
"The historical facts need no reprise."
"The fates sometimes deem, a modest surprise."
"Soon after, soon after, their historic demise,"
"The spirits of Gimlet and Gold flew the skies."
"The Gods were so touched, devotion so true,"
"Lives reincarnated, were granted the two."
"Should ever you spy, elf maid or her gold,"
"Smile kindly on Gimlet, so precious, so bold."
"And bow to her dragon. Their story's now told."
Nogard bows.
(Nogard looks at you with an expression of great relief.)
"THE END"
Brave Adventurers Questing:
Julie Stuart * Morloth Lethal * Albatross *
Zen * Snowmaiden * Dismis Elu Caver
Lovely Drood Barracuda Kaaman Dude *
Jamain * Haakaan * Shandril * Nogard * Destroyer
Jinxx Oscar Hollie * Swiftkill
Active players: 24
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